Dover’s Sara Bretz is a retired teacher who wants to instruct others about the SPCA’s story.
She’s embarked on a project to learn the SPCA’s history, spending hours in the York County Heritage Trust Archives. She hopes to compile her history into a publication.
She’s found that organizing members of the group first met on March 31, 1925. Harry A. Harris brought the group together.
An annual report for 1931, issued by president Joseph H. Mosser, summarizes the SPCA’s goals in those years:

“The success of efforts by this Society against reckless, thoughtless and cruel treatment of Animals speaks for itself. …One needs only to stop and think of the many thousands of hours of suffering alleviated through the activities of this Society.”

Sarah is looking for additional information on the SPCA, particularly after its organizational years.
YT Square viewers can send any leads to her at 1400 Equestrian Drive, Dover, Pa. 17315. Or call her at 717-308-9919.
The Equestrian Drive address is appropriate for her.
She loves horses.
Staying on the horse theme, notice how prominently those animals – probably used for farming purposes – appeared on this summary of the SPCA’s annual report for 1931.

About Jim McClure

Editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News, ydr.com and its many digital products. East Region Editor, Digital First Media. Journalism/history blogger: yorktownsquare.com. Author or co-author of seven York County, Pa., history books.

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About York Town Square

Welcome to York Town Square, 9 years of daily posts about journalism and history, topics that can easily become plodding and self important. My goal is to keep this blog fun and accessible. And I try to say something in each post. I welcome your comments and respond to every one you write. Please contact me at jem@ydr.com.